The Forum of Pakistan Ombudsman (FPO) convened its 29th meeting on January 3, 2024, at the Punjab Civil Officers Mess in Lahore. Chaired by President FPO, H.E. Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah (Federal Tax Ombudsman of Pakistan) and hosted by the Provincial Ombudsman of Punjab, H.E. Major Azam Suleman Khan (R), the 29th FPO Meeting drew ombudsmen and their representatives from all Federal and Provincial Ombudsmen offices of Pakistan.
The attendees reflected on the growth and annual performance of Pakistan’s ombudsman institutions. Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah emphasized the importance of FPO as a capacity-building and networking platform for Pakistani ombudsmen and its significance in championing best practices of ombudsmanship inorder to provide swift redressal of grievances to the citizens of Pakistan.
Discussions centered on recent institutional achievements of all FPO Member institutions, with particular praise accorded to Punjab’s ombudsman office. Over 94,000 complaints have been resolved under Major (R) Azam Suleman Khan, and more than Rs. 36 billion in monetary relief provided—a performance record that participants acknowledged as exemplary. There was also an acknowledgment of the Punjab Ombudsman’s detailed research on critical issues, from delays in registering FIRs to challenges with public hospital equipment.
In a nod to the forum’s growing international footprint, plans for the upcoming OIC Ombudsman Association meeting in Islamabad took center stage. The event, scheduled for later this month, is expected to host ombudsmen from across the Muslim world. Discussions highlighted the potential to invite observers from non-member states and European institutions to deepen international collaboration. The Executive Body of FPO encouraged all Ombudsmen and Ombudspersons to attend the 10th OICOA Board Meeting and fortify the diplomatic ties with the ombudsmen of OIC states.
Discussions were enriched by a presentation from the Executive Secretary, Almas Ali Jovindah, who proposed several initiatives to expand the FPO’s impact. These included launching an internship program to engage young professionals in ombudsmanship and research, as well as strengthening partnerships with NGOs and media outlets to raise public awareness of the FPO’s work. Attendees endorsed these ideas enthusiastically, recognizing their potential to amplify the reach and effectiveness of ombudsman services. There was also consensus on forming subgroups within international forums like the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA), and the OICOA to foster more targeted discussions and exchanges of best practices.
As the meeting drew to a close, Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah delivered inspiring closing remarks, praising the collaborative spirit and dedication of the forum’s members. He reaffirmed his commitment to elevating the FPO’s stature within the national and international ombudsman community, ensuring it continues to serve as a beacon of institutional excellence and public service. The meeting concluded on a high note, with participants expressing renewed resolve to strengthen the FPO’s role in addressing public grievances and championing the values of justice and accountability in Pakistan.
